Ernest Morris
Ernest Morris
Ernest Morris
1905-1993
1905-1993
Ernest Edward Morris, nicknamed ‘Monkey’ Morris, was the father of D. W. (Derek) Morris, the lightweight jockey who rode to such good effect in the 1950s and 60s.
Ernest Edward Morris, nicknamed ‘Monkey’ Morris, was the father of D. W. (Derek) Morris, the lightweight jockey who rode to such good effect in the 1950s and 60s.
Born on June 24, 1905, Ernest served his apprenticeship with Stanley Wootton at Epsom. He had his first ride in public on Gamli, owned and trained by Wootton, finishing unplaced in the Kingswood Selling Handicap at Epsom on April 21, 1920.
Born on June 24, 1905, Ernest served his apprenticeship with Stanley Wootton at Epsom. He had his first ride in public on Gamli, owned and trained by Wootton, finishing unplaced in the Kingswood Selling Handicap at Epsom on April 21, 1920.
He was just 14 when he rode his first winner, Blacking, trained by Martin Hartigan, in the Maiden Apprentice Plate at Gatwick, on May 15, 1920. Later that year he won the Rufford Abbey Handicap at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting on 100-7 chance Holbeach.
He was just 14 when he rode his first winner, Blacking, trained by Martin Hartigan, in the Maiden Apprentice Plate at Gatwick, on May 15, 1920. Later that year he won the Rufford Abbey Handicap at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting on 100-7 chance Holbeach.
His best season came in 1921 when he won 26 races. He achieved his most important success when riding Time, trained by Stanley Wootton, to victory in the Royal Stakes, a valuable six-furlong handicap at Epsom’s Derby meeting in 1923.
His best season came in 1921 when he won 26 races. He achieved his most important success when riding Time, trained by Stanley Wootton, to victory in the Royal Stakes, a valuable six-furlong handicap at Epsom’s Derby meeting in 1923.
His riding weight was 8st 4lb and he was retained to ride work for Reg Day, with whom he spent the remainder of racing career. On August 9, 1926 he married Evelyn Frost. They moved to live in Newmarket and went on to have two sons, Derek William and John Edward.
His riding weight was 8st 4lb and he was retained to ride work for Reg Day, with whom he spent the remainder of racing career. On August 9, 1926 he married Evelyn Frost. They moved to live in Newmarket and went on to have two sons, Derek William and John Edward.
‘Monkey’ Morris rode a total of 74 winners, the last of them on an unnamed filly by Lemonora out of Glitter, trained by Frank Barling at Newmarket, in the Maiden Selling Two-Year-Old Plate at Folkestone on August 8, 1927, surviving an objection from the runner-up on the grounds of ‘bumping’.
‘Monkey’ Morris rode a total of 74 winners, the last of them on an unnamed filly by Lemonora out of Glitter, trained by Frank Barling at Newmarket, in the Maiden Selling Two-Year-Old Plate at Folkestone on August 8, 1927, surviving an objection from the runner-up on the grounds of ‘bumping’.
Although he continued to hold a licence until 1967, he only had the occasional mount in later years, usually in two-year-old or early-season three-year-old Newmarket maidens, primarily by way of educating the horse and maintaining his licence.
Although he continued to hold a licence until 1967, he only had the occasional mount in later years, usually in two-year-old or early-season three-year-old Newmarket maidens, primarily by way of educating the horse and maintaining his licence.
His final ride in public was on Reg Day’s Bronze Bracken, who finished unplaced in the King’s Gap Stakes, a two-year-old fillies’ race at Newmarket on June 12, 1965, by which time he was within a fortnight of his 60th birthday. The trainer was by then 83, making it a somewhat veteran partnership.
His final ride in public was on Reg Day’s Bronze Bracken, who finished unplaced in the King’s Gap Stakes, a two-year-old fillies’ race at Newmarket on June 12, 1965, by which time he was within a fortnight of his 60th birthday. The trainer was by then 83, making it a somewhat veteran partnership.
Ernest ‘Monkey’ Morris died in September 1993, aged 88.
Ernest ‘Monkey’ Morris died in September 1993, aged 88.
1921: Ernest (seated, front row, 5th left) poses for a charity photograph with his fellow-jockeys.
1921: Ernest (seated, front row, 5th left) poses for a charity photograph with his fellow-jockeys.